Collapsible cop holder



United States Patent 3,143,308 COLLAPSIBLE COP HOLDER George F. Besnyo,Montreal, Quebec, Canada, assignmto Northern Electric Company Limited,Montreal, Quebec, Canada Filed Feb. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 258,485 12Claims. (Cl. 242-46.2)

This invention relates to collapsible arbors adapted to clamp inwardlyextending projections on the inner surface of an article disposedthereon. In particular, this invention is directed to collapsible arborfor articles such as split cop tubes of the type disclosed in UnitedStates Patent No. 2,585,999 issued on February 19, 1952, in the name ofT. T. Bunch.

Known collapsible arbors embodying a clamp have been restrictedprimarily to winding coils of strip material such as sheet metal,photographic film, or the like wherein the strip is wound directly onthe expanded arbor without the use of a tubular core. The leading end ofthe strip constitutes an inward projection which is clamped between twosegments of the arbor and through which the necessary pulling force isapplied to draw the strip onto the arbor. These two segments arepivotally mounted on the axial core of the arbor and are collapsible torelease the strip end and to shorten the arbor circumference tofacilitate removal of the coil.

It has been found, however, that a satisfactory collapsible arbor for anarticle such as the split cop tube having more than one inwardprojection cannot be obtained merely by providing an appropriate numberof clamping pairs of segments operating on the same principle as thesingle pair of segments in the known arbors. Because of the pivotalarrangement of the known segment pairs, the circumferential portions ofthe segments immediately adjacent the clamping portions do not moveinwardly toward the arbor axis upon contraction of the segments. In mostcases, these circumferential portions actually move slightly outwards.This lack of inward movement is not detrimental to the operation of theknown arbors where it is confined to one small portion of the arborcircumference, provided the overall circumference is shortened. Itcannot be tolerated, however, at two or more locations around the arborcircumference, especially where these locations are symmetrically spacedas in the case of the top tube since contraction of the segments in theknown manner would not release the cop tube. This problem is accentuatedwhere the radial pressure caused by winding tensions results inshrinkage of the cop tube onto the arbor.

It has been discovered in accordance with the invention that a suitablecollapsible arbor is obtained when the segments are movably supported ina manner whereby every point on the outer surface of each segment movesin a common direction outwardly or inwardly with respect to the arboraxis, and when the segments are pivotally connected together such thatthe pivotal connection is movable therewith. The means provided formoving the segments in the prescribed manner is suitably adapted topermit the segments to rotate in opposed directions about the pivotalconnection during outward or inward movement so that the space betweenthe segments at least at the arbor circumference will decrease orincrease, respectively.

In the arbor of this invention, the pair of clamping segments can bemoved to collapsed positions well within the expanded circumference ofthe arbor. Thus, multiple segment pairs having these operationalfeatures can be used advantageously in a collapsible arbor for securelyclamping two or more angularly spaced projections of a cop tube or thelike disposed thereon without restricting placement and removal of thecop tube.

3,143,308 Patented Aug. 4, 1964 A preferred embodiment of this inventionwill now be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a collapsible arborhaving two pairs of segments arranged in accordance with the invention;and

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section of the arbor taken on the line 22 of FIGURE1.

The preferred embodiment of a collapsible arbor according to thisinvention is particularly constructed for use with the split cop tubedisclosed in United States Patent No. 2,585,999, referred tohereinabove, for winding layers of thread or other filamentary materialthereon to form a cop. The cop tube, as shown in phantom lines inFIGURES 1 and 2 of the present application and designated by referencenumeral 10, has four longitudinal ribs projecting from and equallyspaced around the inner surface thereof, and is split longitudinallythrough the centres of two diametrically opposed ribs into two identicalsemi-cylindrical sections. The purpose of the arbor is to firmly supportthe cop tube through expansion of its circumference to provide a radialsupport for the inner surface of the cop tube and to hold the cop tubetogether by securely clamping the diametrically opposed slit ribs.

The collapsible arbor comprises, in general, a support 11 and four arborsegments 12, 13, 14 and 15 movably disposed thereon and symmetricallyarranged about the longitudinal axis of the arbor in spaced relation.Support 11 comprises a spindle 16 having an axial bore 17 and a radialflange 18 near one end. Flange 18 is provided with a knurledcircumference and is spaced from said one end of spindle 16 to form ahub 19 by means of which the arbor is secured to the rotatable shaft ofa suitable winding machine (not shown). At the free end of the spindle,the axial bore 17 is enlarged at 20 and is internally threaded toreceive an externally threaded tubular spindle 21 having a hand wheel 22secured to its outer end.

A pair of frusto-com'cal surfaces 23 and 24 are formed on spindle 16respectively at the free end thereof and contiguous with the side offlange 18 remote from hub 19. Both of these surfaces increase indiameter toward flange 18 and surface 24 extends into the flange to formthe inner surface of an annular groove 25. Each of the arbor segmentshas a pair of longitudinally inclined surfaces 26 and 27 of arcuatecross-sections forming the inner surfaces of inwardly extending portionsat each end of the segments, said surfaces being adapted to engage thespindle surfaces 23 and 24, respectively. The tapered surface 27 isextended to form the inner surface of an arcuate flange 28 which isreceivable in the annular groove 25 of flange 18. An arcuate groove 29is formed in the other end of each segment for receiving an annularflange 30 on the hand wheel 22. The width of groove 29 is greater thanthe thickness of the annular flange 30 to permit unrestricted radialmovement of the segment between its respective positions when the arboris expanded or collapsed. The grooves 29 and flange 30 co-operate, as doflanges 28 and the annular groove 25 at the other end of the segments,to assist in retaining the segments on the spindle 16 while permittingunrestricted radial movement of the segments as aforesaid. A thrustWasher 31 provides a low-friction contact between hand wheel 22 and thearbor segments.

Each segment has an outer surface 32 defining a portion of the arborcircumference and having a shape which conforms to the inner cylindricalsurface of cop tube 10. The outer surface 32 is bounded on itslongitudinal edges by the somewhat radially extending sides 33 and 34 ofthe segment. As shown in FIGURE 2, the arbor segments are arranged inpairs with the segments 12 and 13 constituting one pair and segments 14and 15 constituting the other pairs. Side 33 of each segment faces theother segment of the pair while the side 34 faces the adjacent segmentof the other pair. Each segment has two longitudinally spaced transverseslots 35 opening at the outer surface 32 and side 33. Bridging each slotis a pivot pin 36 by means of which the segments of a pair are pivotallyconnected together by a link 37 having a pair of elongated aperturesadapted to slidably embrace the corresponding pivot pins 36 of thesegment pair. The links 37 limit the separation of the pivot pins 36such that, when the pair of segments is moved so that the arbor is fullyexpanded as shown in FIGURE 2, the space between the adjacent sides 33at the circumference of the arbor is just less than the thickness of aninternal rib of cop tube 10. The apertures in links 37 are elongated toprovide added flexibility to the arbor by allowing the segments acertain degree of freedom of movement as they are moved to expand orcollapse the arbor.

An aperture 38 extends from and at right angles to each of thetransverse slots 35 to receive a tension spring 39 which extends betweenand resiliently couples the adjacent segments of different pairs, suchas segments 13 and 15. The ends of springs 39 are attached to pins 40bridging the transverse slots 35 into which the ends of the springsextend. The longitudinal edge of each arbor segment defined by the outersurface 32 and side 34 is cut away at 41 to provide clearance betweenthe sides 34 and the internal ribs of cop tube disposed therebetween.

In operation, cop tube 14) is slid over the arbor segments, when thearbor is collapsed, with the diametrically opposed split internal ribspositioned between the adjacent sides 33 of the paired segments. Handwheel 22 is then rotated so that spindle 21 is threadably advanced tothe right, as shown in FIGURE 1, whereupon the hand wheel bears againstthe outer end of each arbor segment through thrust washer 31 to forcethe segments to the right in the direction of increasing diameter of theconical surfaces 23 and 24. These surfaces co-operate with taperedsurface 26 and 27 to force the segments radially outwards against theaction of springs 39 and thereby expand the arbor. As the segmentsapproach the positions shown in FIGURE 2, but before these positions arereached, the pivot pins 36 are disposed in the outermost ends of theelongated apertures of links 37 and are prevented from any furtherseparation. Thus, further outward movement of the segments results inrotation thereof about their respective pivot pins 36 to decrease thespace between sides 33 at the circumference of the arbor. Thus, when thearbor is completely expanded, the spaces between sides 33 are such as toeffect a clamping of the split ribs of cop tube 10. The knurledcircumference of flange 18 may be gripped by hand to prevent rotation ofthe arbor while hand wheel 22 is operated.

To remove cop tube 10 from the arbor, the hand wheel 22 is rotated inthe opposite direction and threadably advanced to the left in FIGURE 1.The arbor segments are then free to move to the left in the direction ofdecreasing diameter of the conical surfaces 23 and 24, and therebyradially inwards, by the contracting force of the tension springs 39.Manual force applied in the same direction on the cop will assist thesprings in collapsing the arbor segments. The radial inward movement ofeach segment is accompanied by a rotation thereof about its pivot pins36 to unclamp the split ribs of the cop tube 10 whereby the cop tube isreleased for unrestricted removal from the arbor.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a collapsible arbor, a support, a pair of arbor segments movablymounted on the support in spaced relation about the longitudinal axis ofthe arbor, means for moving the segments on the support such that everypoint of the outer surface of each segment is moved in a commondirection outwardly or inwardly with respect to the arbor axis, andmeans pivotally connecting the segments and movable therewith forrotation of the segments in 4 opposed directions during outward orinward movement to decrease or increase respectively the space betweenthe segments at the circumference of the arbor the means for moving thesegment in the prescribed manner being adapted to permit said rotation.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, said connecting means comprising apivot pin on each segment and a linkage connecting the pivot pins toprevent separation thereof beyond a predetermined maxmium separation.

3. A collapsible arbor as defined in claim 2, said linkage comprising asingle link having slots adapted to contain the pivot pins, said slotspermitting a decrease in the separation of the pivot pins from saidmaximum separation upon inward movement of the segments.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, said means for moving the segments inthe prescribed manner including a conical surface on the supportsymmetrical about the arbor axis, a longitudinally inclined surface oneach segment adapted to co-operate with the conical surface, and meansfor effecting relative movement between the segments and the conicalsurface axially of the arbor.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, said means for effecting relativemovement between the segments and the conical surface comprising amember threadably mounted on the support for movement axially of thearbor and adapted to urge the segments in the axial direction ofincreasing diameter of the conical surface whereby said surfacesco-operate to move the segments radially outwards, and resilient meansadapted to continuously urge the segments radially inwards and therebymove the segments in the opposite axial direction when said member ismoved in said opposite direction.

6. A collapsible arbor comprising a support having a conical surfacesymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the arbor, two pairs ofelongated arbor segments arranged in spaced relation about saidlongitudinal axis, each segment having a longitudinally inclined surfaceof arcuate cross-section adapted to co-operate with the conical surfaceof the support such that movement of the segments axially of the arborin the directions of increasing or decreasing diameter of the conicalsurface causes the segments to move outwardly or inwardly of saidlongitudinal axis, means pivotally connecting the segments in eachsegment pair for rotation of the segments about the respectiveconnecting means in opposed directions during outward or inward movementto decrease or increase the space between the segments at thecircumference of the arbor, spring means connecting adjacent segments ofdifferent segment pairs and adapted to urge the segment pairs inwardlyof said longitudinal axis, and means on the support adapted to urge thesegments axially of the arbor in the direction of increasing diameter ofthe conical surface.

7. A collapsible arbor as defined in claim 6, said connecting meanscomprising a pivot pin on each segment and a linkage connecting thepivot pins of the segments in a segment pair to prevent separation ofthe pivot pins beyond a predetermined maximum separation.

8. A collapsible arbor as defined in claim 6, each segment beingprovided with a pair of longitudinally spaced transverse slotscorresponding to like slots in the other segment of the segment pair,said connecting means comprising a pivot pin bridging each slot, and alink connecting the pivot pins in corresponding slots to preventseparation of the pivot pins beyond a predetermined maximum separation.

9. A collapsible arbor as defined in claim 8, said link having slotsadapted to contain the pivot pins and permitting a decrease in theseparation thereof from said maximum separation upon inward movement ofthe segments.

10. A collapsible arbor as defined in claim 6, said spring meanscomprising a tension spring.

11. A collapsible arbor as defined in claim 6, the support having anaxial spindle, and said means for urging the segments axially of thearbor comprising a hand wheel threadably mounted on one end of thespindle and adapted to bear against one end of each of the segments.

12. A collapsible arbor as defined in claim 6, the support having anaxial tubular spindle internally threaded at one end, a conical surfaceat each end of the spindle symmetric about said longitudinal axis, saidconical surfaces increasing in diameter in the same direction, eachsegment having a longitudinal inclined surface of arcuate cross-sectionat each end adapted to co-operate with the respective conical surfacesin the prescribed manner, and said means for urging the segments axiallyof the arbor comprising a hand Wheel and a spindle extending therefromto be threadably received in said tubular spindle, the hand Wheel beingadapted to bear against one end of each of the segments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS699,237 Redington May 6, 1902 1,928,979 Levison Oct. 3, 1933 2,146,590Newell Feb. 7, 1939 2,265,087 Tooke Dec. 2, 1941 2,297,648 Cushman Sept.29, 1942 3,093,338 Trapp June 11, 1963

1. IN A COLLAPSIBLE ARBOR, A SUPPORT, A PAIR OF ARBOR SEGMENTS MOVABLYMOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT IN SPACED RELATION ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OFTHE ARBOR, MEANS FOR MOVING THE SEGMENTS ON THE SUPPORT SUCH THAT EVERYPOINT OF THE OUTER SURFACE OF EACH SEGMENT IS MOVED IN A COMMONDIRECTION OUTWARDLY OR INWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE ARBOR AXIS, ANDMEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE SEGMENTS AND MOVABLE THEREWITH FORROTATION OF THE SEGMENTS IN OPPOSED DIRECTIONS DURING OUTWARD OR INWARDMOVEMENT TO DECREASE OR INCREASE RESPECTIVELY THE SPACE BETWEEN THESEGMENTS AT THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE ARBOR THE MEANS